Remodel Permits in Cambridge, WI: What Needs One

Do You Need a Permit in Cambridge?

Yes permit neededNo no permitDepends depends on the workAsk not published, call the office

Project	Permit	What the rule says
Kitchen remodel	Depends	New cabinets and counters alone need no permit: the code exempts installing cabinetry and finishing interior surfaces. Any new or moved wiring, plumbing or gas lines, or changes to walls or structure, need permits (building, electrical, plumbing as needed) through MSA. Remodels cost $8.40 per $1,000 of estimated cost ($184 minimum) plus mechanicals. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing.(source)
Bathroom remodel	Depends	Swapping a faucet or fixing a leak is a minor repair with no permit. Moving or adding plumbing, adding circuits or a new fan circuit, or changing walls needs permits through MSA. Only a licensed master plumber can get a plumbing permit, except an owner doing the plumbing in the single-family home they own and live in. Whether a like-for-like toilet, sink or tub replacement needs a plumbing permit isn't spelled out; ask MSA. Permits: building, plumbing, electrical.(source)
Finish a basement	Yes	Finishing a basement with new walls, rooms, wiring, plumbing or ductwork needs a building permit plus electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits for that work, through MSA. Only painting or surfacing existing finished walls is exempt. The code lists every electrical, HVAC and plumbing job in a remodel as needing a permit. Permits: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.(source)
Remove or move a wall	Yes	Removing a load-bearing wall is a structural alteration that needs a building permit, and MSA asks for structural calculations or plans plus updated wall bracing. Moving a non-load-bearing wall changes room arrangement, which takes it outside the code's no-permit 'minor repair' definition, so plan on a permit for that too and confirm with MSA. Permits: building.(source)
Build or replace a deck	Yes	A new deck needs a building permit; the code lists additions 'including decks'. The zoning code treats a deck as part of the building, so it must meet the house's setbacks (25 ft front and rear and 12 ft side under the codified R-L and R-M rules; Ordinance 2026-01 reduced some residential setbacks in January 2026). The residential deck permit is $200 plus zoning, plan review and erosion control fees. MSA posts a state deck worksheet. Since August 2026, decks count toward the district's maximum lot coverage. No local frost depth or size exemption is published. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Replace deck boards or railings	Depends	Not named. Replacing boards or railings in kind with no structural change may count as a minor repair, which needs no permit; the building inspector can authorize minor repairs under $800 that don't change the structure or exterior appearance without a permit. Larger or structural repairs need a building permit. Ask MSA before starting. Permits: building.(source)
Replace windows, same size	Depends	The building code doesn't list same-size window replacement among the jobs that need a permit, but the Village's fee schedule charges $75 for a residential windows/doors permit, and the code's no-permit 'minor repair' excludes work that changes a home's exterior appearance. Ask MSA or Village Hall before ordering windows. Permits: building.(source)
New or larger window (egress)	Yes	Cutting a new or larger window opening, such as a basement egress window, is a structural alteration that needs a building permit through MSA. If it serves a new bedroom, the basement finishing permit covers it too. Permits: building.(source)
Replace exterior doors	Depends	Same as windows: the code doesn't name exterior door replacement, but the fee schedule lists a $75 residential windows/doors permit. A new or wider opening is a structural alteration and needs a building permit. Ask MSA or Village Hall. Permits: building.(source)
Re-roof	Yes	Any re-roofing needs a building permit ($175 residential). A third layer of roofing needs structural load calculations by a professional engineer or architect. If more than 25% of the roof covering is replaced within 12 months, the whole roof covering must meet the dwelling code. Permits: building.(source)
Replace siding	Depends	The building code says re-siding a house needs no permit (only commercial buildings and buildings in the design district do, and design-district work also needs Plan Commission review). The Village fee schedule, however, lists a $100 residential siding/soffit/fascia permit. Ask MSA or Village Hall which applies to your house. Permits: building.(source)
New flooring	No	No permit for new flooring. The code exempts finishing interior surfaces.(source)
Replace a water heater	Yes	Replacing a water heater needs a permit; the code names water heaters among major equipment. The residential fee schedule lists 'Miscellaneous Replacements' at $150 (a separate $150 water heater line appears only under commercial). Apply through MSA. Permits: plumbing.(source)
Build a fence	Yes	Fences need a permit from the zoning administrator ($100). On residential lots fences can be up to 6 ft, but no more than 3 ft in a required front or corner side yard; along a lot line next to non-residential property the limit is 8 ft. Fences can't extend into the front setback, and the finished side faces the neighbor. Pointed picket fences, barbed wire and electric fences are banned in residential areas (rounded-top pickets are fine). Within 25 ft of a street corner, nothing over 3 ft. No permit for a short decorative 'architectural' fence (20 ft total, not enclosing anything) or a temporary fence up to 45 days. Permits: zoning.(source)
Build a shed	Yes	Sheds need a building permit and zoning approval: the building code covers residential accessory buildings, and accessory structures cost $0.21 per sq ft ($75 minimum) plus zoning. A lot can have a garage plus one other accessory building. In R-L, sheds up to 200 sq ft are allowed by right and bigger ones need a conditional use permit (R-H is the same). Sheds stay out of the front yard and in front of the house, at least 3 ft from lot lines and other accessory buildings, 10 ft from the house unless built to one-hour fire-resistive standards, cover no more than 30% of the required rear yard, and max out at 15 ft tall in R-L and R-H. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Install a pool	Yes	A pool deeper than 1.5 ft needs a pool building permit from the building inspector and zoning administrator before work starts ($450 in-ground, $250 above-ground). Pools go in the side or rear yard of a lot with a house, with the water line at least 6 ft from any lot line. Enclose it with a fence at least 4 ft high with no openings over 4 inches, and keep gates locked when the pool isn't in use; an above-ground pool with 36-inch walls or a railed deck and self-closing, self-latching gates can skip the fence. Never drain a pool into the sanitary sewer. Small storable wading pools are exempt. Permits: building, zoning, electrical.(source)
Add a hot tub	Depends	Hot tubs aren't named. The wiring needs an electrical permit, since the code requires one for any new electrical equipment. The pool rules cover any outdoor structure holding water deeper than 1.5 ft, which may include a hot tub; there's no exemption for tubs with locking covers. Ask MSA and the zoning administrator whether the pool fence and setback rules apply. Permits: electrical, building.(source)
Build a pergola or gazebo	Depends	Not named. The building code's general rule says no new structure 'or any part thereof' may be built without a permit, so a pergola likely needs one, and an attached pergola must meet the house's setbacks. Ask MSA. Permits: building, zoning.(source)
Backyard fire pit	Depends	Outdoor fires are banned in the village except cooking over a fire in a device built for it, a ceremonial campfire or bonfire with the fire chief's prior written approval, or a burn with a permit from the Village administrator/clerk/treasurer. So a grill or a fire pit used for cooking is fine; a backyard fire just for enjoyment needs approval. No building permit rule for a fire pit itself was found. Permits: fire.(source)
Build a patio	Ask	No permit rule for a ground-level patio was found. Since August 25, 2026 (Ordinance 2026-10), patios, driveways and other hard surfaces count toward the district's maximum lot coverage (30% in R-L, 50% in R-M under the codified rules), so check your total before adding one. A new or changed driveway apron in the street right-of-way needs a Village driveway permit. Ask the zoning administrator.(source)

Checked October 2026 against the Village of Cambridge sources listed below.

Who to Call

Village of Cambridge Building Inspection & Zoning
Phone: 608-423-3712
Permit office website

Building inspection and zoning are contracted to MSA Professional Services; the village page lists its building inspector at 608-844-6116. Apply for building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits through MSA's online permit portal, linked from the village's Building Inspection page; the inspector then contacts you with the fee. Plan review can take up to 10 business days. Fence permits come from the village zoning administrator, and conditional use, variance and rezoning applications go to Village Hall, 200 Spring St.

Permit Fees

Village of Cambridge fee schedule (spreadsheet posted November 2025, linked as the Village fee schedule from the Licenses & Permits page; the Building Inspection page says to call Village Hall for the current schedule). Residential: new structures and additions $0.21/sq ft ($75 minimum) plus mechanicals; electrical, plumbing and HVAC $0.07/sq ft plus a $75 base fee each; remodels $8.40 per $1,000 of estimated cost ($184 minimum) plus mechanicals if required; deck permit $200 plus zoning, plan review and erosion control fees; windows/doors permit $75; siding/soffit/fascia permit $100; re-roof $175; miscellaneous replacements $150; electrical service upgrade $150; accessory structures $0.21/sq ft ($75 minimum) plus zoning; zoning permit $150; fence permit $100; swimming pools $450 in-ground, $250 above-ground; plan review $125 for an addition, $200 for a new single-family home; erosion control $125 for an addition, $250 for a new home; administrative fee $75 for additions, $150 for a new one- or two-family home; state seal $39; occupancy permit $150 per dwelling; outside sewer and water laterals $300; early start footings and foundation $225; re-inspections $80 each; special inspections $50 per half hour; razing $100; driveway inspections $100; sewer connection fee $1,575; park impact fee $2,000. Zoning: conditional use permit $800; variance or appeal $500; rezone $600; zoning compliance/concept review $300. Public works: driveway permit $200; sidewalk construction and repair permit $100; street excavation $200. Starting work before getting a permit costs double fees (Sec. 15.04.030).(fee schedule)

Worth Knowing in Cambridge

Starting work before getting a permit means double permit fees, and violations can draw forfeitures of $25 to $1,000 per day.(source)
Only a licensed master plumber can get a plumbing permit, except a homeowner plumbing the single-family home they own and live in.(source)
Electrical permits are required for any new or altered wiring; only repairs or replacements of broken or defective sockets, switches or receptacles are exempt.(source)
Cambridge applies the state Uniform Dwelling Code to additions, alterations and major equipment replacements in homes built before June 1, 1980, not just newer homes.(source)
Request inspections at least 48 hours ahead (footing, foundation, rough framing and mechanicals, insulation, final and erosion control, as they apply). A permit lapses if work doesn't start within six months or finish within two years, and the permit must be displayed on site.(source)
Construction noise is allowed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.(source)
Lot coverage now counts driveways, patios, decks and pools, not just buildings (Ordinance 2026-10, adopted August 25, 2026). Under the codified rules the cap is 30% in R-L, 50% in R-M and 70% in R-H.(source)
Residential lot sizes and setbacks changed in January 2026 (Ordinance 2026-01): for example, R-M single-family lots dropped to 8,000 sq ft with 20-ft front and 7-ft side setbacks, and R-L side setbacks to 10 ft. The online Municode code (through November 2023) doesn't show this yet.(source)
Sump pumps, roof drains and other clear-water drains may not discharge into the sanitary sewer.(source)
Exterior work on a designated historic structure or a property in a historic district needs a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission before the building inspector can issue a permit.(source)
A detached garage can be up to 800 sq ft, in the side or rear yard only, at least 3 ft from side and rear lot lines, 15 ft from an alley and 10 ft from the house (unless fire-rated), with a roof no steeper than the house's.(source)
Cambridge has its own floodplain regulations (Chapter 15.60) and shoreland-wetland zoning (Chapter 15.64); in a flood-prone area, new construction and substantial improvements must be anchored and built with flood-resistant materials.(source)

Other Towns

Sources

Permit rules and fees change. We checked each answer against the town's own website, code or fee schedule in October 2026 and linked the source. Confirm with the permit office before you start. This is a guide, not legal advice.

Remodel Permits in Cambridge, WI